Jeremy Lin advises young player's NBA dream

2012/08/05 20:20:03

Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Basketball star Jeremy Lin encouraged Sunday a young Taiwanese basketball player who wishes to play in the NBA to work hard, believe in himself -- and have fun.

"I think to be successful you just have to work hard, believe in yourself and the most important thing is, you have fun," the 23-year-old Houston Rockets point guard told Wu Yung-sheng at a press conference in Taipei after Wu asked him how to succeed in the NBA.

Wu is a key member of the championship team that won a junior high school basketball league in Taiwan this year. The youth, who is expected to attend high school in the United States this year, said his dream is to play in the NBA.

Lin said he has been through "some pretty bad slumps" in the past and that "confidence" is what helped him through the tough times, after Wu asked him how he overcomes his low periods.

Asked by Wu about the advantages of Asian players in the United States, Lin said: "I think the advantage of being an Asian basketball player in America is that no one expects anything from you, and no one thinks you are going to be good."

He said the reason this is an advantage is because "everyone takes you lightly, and the minute you step out on the court and you give it to them, you immediately earn their respect."

"But no one is ever going to give it to you right away, not in America at least," he added.

Meanwhile, Landry Fields, Lin's former teammate in the New York Knicks, has been scheduled to take part in a three-on-three basketball exhibition game in Taichung Aug. 25-26.

Asked if he will meet with Fields, who recently signed with the Toronto Raptors, when the two are in Taiwan during the same period of late August, Lin said he will not be able to see him.

"I am sorry ... See you in America," Lin said when the host of the press conference asked him to say something to Fields.

The new Rockets point guard has repeatedly expressed the hope of visiting one of Taiwan's night markets, but he said that is also unlikely to happen.

"I want to eat night market food," said Lin when asked what Taiwanese food he most wanted to have. "But I am okay with not going this year," he said.

It appeared that he did not want to draw in massive crowds of fans to wherever he goes, although he was quick to add that he appreciates the sentiment and that he loves the fans, the media and everyone in Taiwan for their support and care.

Lin's return to Taiwan this year has attracted numerous fans and the media, who have dogged him since the minute he stepped onto Taiwanese soil.

It is Lin's first visit to Taiwan since his meteoric rise from obscurity with the New York Knicks earlier this year and his recent signing of a three-year, US$25 million contract to play for the Houston Rockets.